Scooter driver seriously injured

Wednesday

Jan 16, 2013 at 7:00 PM

STAFF REPORT

A man driving a scooter was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when a driver making a left-hand turn onto Stickney Point Road pulled out into the scooter's path, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

Dee Wray Lee, 71, of Jacksonville, Ore., was at a stop sign at Couver Drive and Stickney Point Road — near the U.S. 41 intersection — about 1:30 p.m. when he turned into the scooter's path, the FHP reported.

The scooter's driver, Robert Nippes, 66, of Sarasota, struck the left side of Lee's Acura and was thrown from the scooter. He was wearing a helmet, but was still seriously injured and was flown by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment.

Troopers do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. Lee has been cited for a right-of-way violation, the FHP says.